Wire line operated well pump



Aug. 9, 1960 M. L. HART 2,948,231

WIRE LINE OPERATED WELL PUMP Filed Oct. 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A,Arrow/Ev 7. M M a. H.. a u. n A///// m m i Z. m i \\\.i\\m i M F h w W my m w min...

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. L. HART WIRE LINE OPERATED WELL PUMP rill/Ill!!!Aug. 9, 1960 Filed Oct 25 1957 INVENTOR.

A 7' TOP/Vi) Fiq. 6

United States Patent of Oklahoma I Filed oe zs, 1957, Sen No.-- 692,300Claims. (Cl. 103 181) This invention relates to improvements inreciprocating pumps of the type used below the surfacoforpumping oil andwater wells, and more particularly, to an improved pump assembly of thistype which is operated by a wife line extending downwardly in the wellfrom the surface to the pump assembly. v

As it iswell known in the art, many types of reciproeating subsurfacewell pum s have been developed and extensively used. The greatmajorityof these pumps, particularly in the oil industry, are'operated by astring of sucker rods extendin through the well from the surtaee to theumping unit, whiehmay be sevei t thousand feet under the ground. Thesesucker rod pumps require heavy and ex ensive equipment on the surface ofthe round tor reciprocating the ted string and operating the Also, therods are; alternately subjected to I 2,948,231 Patented Aug. 9, 19$0 adown stroke provided by these two forces is extremely slow, usuallyresulting in an incomplete down stroke of the unit when a practicaloperating speed is'attempted.

Thepresent invention contemplates an improved wire line pump assemblyusing a tapered seating nipple in the tubing or casing and a similarlytapered seating member on the lower end of the pump unit, with a simplesealing member on the seating member to provide a seating of thepumpunit with a minimum of force. The pump unit is held in the seatingnipple during operation by a hydrauli'c hold-down.- The upper standingvalve of the pump unit is tubular in shape and guided in its movement bya head rigidly secured on the working barrel of the pump unit,- out ofcontact with either the pump rod or the tubing, to provide constantalignment of the valve and prevent sanding-up of the valve.- I alsocontemplate using asinker bar between the pump rod and the wire line tofacilitate the down stroke of the pump, as well as the seating of thepump in the tubing or casing.

tension and eempressicm to provide the up and down strokes of the pump,therehy causing the rods to fatigue in: a reiati'veIy-shont period ofservice and resulting in itsq eht parting of the red suing, withanattendant loss of time and money in recovering the pump and placing theunitback in operation. in addition, the o eration of installing andremoving the pump require an e essive amount of time in jointing andunjointing the various sections of the sucker rod suing. I Severalattempts have also been made to produce asubsurface well pump which maybe operated by a cable or wire line. Up to the present time however", acompletely satisfactory pum ing unit of this typeha's not been provided-. One of the major problemsin wire line 7 type pumps of the inserttype i -flieprovision of suitable means for seating the ump in the welltu-hingflor casing in such a manner that the pump may be easily seated,

yet will remain in a seated position during operationof the pump.Heretofore, umpser this type have been provided with seating cups attirelower end of the pump which are inserted in a suitable shoe or nipple inthe lower portion ofthe well' tubing or casing. To be effective, theseseating cups must have substantial friction against the seating shoe,thereby complicating theinstallapump, and which will not be aneeted hymisalignment of fth'e'p'ump operating rod which normally extends fromthe pump plunger u wardly through thepump for connecnon with the wire"line of cable. Still another problem encountered in the art is theaccomplishment of a complete down stroke of the pump plunger. Inprevious wire line type pumps, the plunger is moved on its down strokeby the combination of the force ofigravityand the force exerted by thehydrostatic head of fluid standingin the well. When the pump plungerfits in-its working'barrel sufficiently tight to provide a practicalworking up stroke,

An important object of this invention is to provide a wire line pumphaving an upper standing valve which will not be rendered inoperative bysand settling from fluid standing in the tubing or casing above thepump,

even when the pump out of operation for extended periods oftime. 1Another objectof this invention is to provide a wire line type pumpwherein the upper standing valve is not afiected by misalignment orbending of the pump operating rod.

' A further object of this invention is to provide an insert typewireline pump which may be easily inserted in a ,linepump having a pluralityof pump plungers, but a single lower standing valve and a single upperstanding valve.

A further object of this invention is to provide an insert'type wirelincpump which is simple in construction and may be economicallymanufactured.

'Dther objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing detailed description, when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate my invention.

' In the drawings: p

I Figure 1 is a vertical sectional vie'w throughthe" upper portion of'apump assembly constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional viewof a lower portion of the pumpassembly, and is a continuation from the lower end-of Fig. l.

Figure 3'is a transverse sectional view,- with the upper standing valveremoved, as taken along lines 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View of a pump assembly similar to theupper portion of Fig-L 2, but illustrating a modified pum structure.

Figure 5' is a vertical sectional view or the central pertion of anothermodified pump assembly.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of the lower portion of-the pnmpassembly shown in Fig. 5, and is acoiitinua'tion fromthe lower end otfFig. 5

Referring to the drawings in" detail, and particularly Figs-.11 and 2,refercnc ejcharacter 8 designates a wen tubing or casing which extendsdownwardly from the surface through a well bore (not shown) to a depthbelow the normal level of fluid standing in the well. As shown in theupper portion of Fig. 2, a suitable collar is threadedly secured on thelower end of the tubing 8 to support a bushing 12 in alignment with thetubing 8. The bushing 12 is preferably threaded into the lower end ofthe collar 10, and the inner bore 14 of the bushing is slightly smallerthan the inner diameter of the tubing 8. Also, the upper end portion 16of the inner bore 14 of the bushing is preferably tapered upwardly andoutwardly to a diameter substantially corresponding to the innerdiameter of the tubing 8 for purposes which will hereinafter be setforth. A tubular pump housing 16 is threadedly secured on the lower endof the bushing 12 and has a seating nipple 18 threadedly secured in thelower end thereof. Although the pump housing 16 is preferably slightlylarger in diameter than the tubing 8, the housing may be formed out of asection of the tubing 8 and may be considered as a continuation of thetubing. The inner bore 20 of the seating nipple 18 is tapered downwardlyand inwardly and the diameter thereof is less than the inner diameter ofthe bushing 12. If desired, a tail pipe or suction collar 22 may besecured on the lower end of the seating nipple 18. The structure thusfar described is a part of the permanent well installation and onceinstalled will normally not be removed from a well unless the tubing 8develops a leak or some other portion of the structure becomes damagedthrough use. In other words, the structure thus far described isnormally left in the well and merely utilized as a receptacle for mynovel pump, which is generally designated by reference character 24.

As shown in Fig. 2, the pump 24 comprises a tubular Working barrel 26having a diameter less than the diameter of either the tubing 8 or thehousing 16, and having a series of transverse ports 28 in the upper endportion thereof and a series of ports 30 in the lower end portionthereof. The working barrel 26 is substantially the same length as thepump housing 16 and has a seating member 32 threadedly secured in thelower end thereof. The outer diameter of the seating member 32 istapered in conformity with the inner bore of the seating nipple 18 toprovide a support of the pump 24 in the nipple 18. Also, a suitableO-type sealing ring 34 is disposed in a complementary groove in theouter periphery of the seating member 32 to contact the inner peripheryof the seating nipple 18 and provide a seal of the member 32 in thenipple 18 to prevent the leakage of fluid downwardly from the annularchamber 36 between the working barrel 26 and the pump housing 16.

It is to be particularly observed, however, that the 0- ring 34 willprovide a minimum of friction upon insertion and withdrawal of theseating member 32 in the seating nipple 18. Furthermore, the matingtapered surfaces of the seating member 32 and the nipple 18 facilitateeasy insertion and withdrawal of the member 32 from the nipple 18.Therefore, a minimum of force need be used for lowering the pump 24 intoits seated position as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The inner bore 38 of the seating member 32 forms the inlet for wellfluid into the pump 24. A suitable seat 40 is formed at the upper end ofthe bore 38 to receive a ball type standing valve 42. It will beapparent that the standing valve 4-2 is used to alternately open andclose the fluid inlet 38 and is of a diameter slightly less than theworking barrel 26 to provide easy vertical movement of the valve inresponse to fluid pressure differentials across the valve. A plug member44 is secured in the working barrel 26 by means of a cross pin 46a shortdistance above the lower transverse ports 30. Also, the plug 44 issealed in the working barrel 26 by means of a suitable sealing ring 48to divide the working barrel 26 into an upper chamber 50 and a lowerchamber 52. As indicated, the plug 44 is secured a short distance abovethe ports 30, and one function of the plug is to limit the upwardmovement of the standing valve 42 so that the standing valve cannot bemoved into a position above the ports 30 and render the pump 24inoperative. The ports 30 will, of course, be smaller in diameter thanthe standing valve 42.

A tubular pump plunger 54, having suitable upwardly extending cups 56,is slidingly disposed in the upper chamber 50 of the working barrelabove the plug 44. The inner bore 58 of the plunger 54 is alternatelyopened and closed by a ball type traveling valve 60, and the valve '60is retained in operating position by a suitable guide structure 61 inthe normal manner. An internally threaded member 62 is rigidly securedon the upper end of the guide structure 61 to receive the lower end of apump rod 64. The rod 64 extends upwardly from the working barrel 26 asubstantial distance for connection with the wire line, as will behereinafter set forth.

A tubular head 66 is threadedly secured in the upper end of the workingbarrel 26 around the pump rod 64. The outer diameter of the head 66immediately above the upper end of the working barrel is slightly lessthan the inner diameter of the bushing 12 and is provided with an O-ring68 of a size to sealingly engage the inner bore 14 of the bushing 12.The sealing ring 68 prevents a drain.- age of well fluid from the tubing8 downwardly between the head 66 and thebushing 12. The inner'diameterof the head 66 is such that the lower end 70 of the head extendsinwardly above the outer edge portion 72 of the guide structure 61 onthe plunger 54 in order that the guide 61 will contact the head 66 whenthe pump rod 64 is pulled upwardly beyond the normal up stroke of thepump, in removing the pump from the well, as will be more fullyhereinafter set forth.

An annular seat 74 is cut in the outer periphery of the head 66 a shortdistance above the sealing ring 68. As will be apparent to those skilledin the art, the seat 74 may be either a machined surface of the head 66or a separate element (not shown) to provide an extended service life. Aplurality of transverse ports 76 are provided in the head 66 immediatelyabove the seat 74 for the discharge of pumped fluid from the pump 24upwardly into the tubing 8. The upper end portion 78 of the head 66 isswedged inwardly (reduced in size) to such an extent that the inner bore80 of the portion 78 provides a sliding fit of the portion 78 around thepump rod 64. Thus, the upper portion 78 of the head 66 provides a guidefor the pump rod 64 to maintain the pump rod and the pump plunger 54 inalignment with the head 66 and working barrel 26. The tapered portion 82of the head 66 betweenthe ports 76 and the reduced upper end portion 78is provided with a plurality (preferably two) slots 84 in the outersurface thereof for purposes which will be hereinafter set forth. Asshown most clearly in Fig. 3, the slots or grooves 84 extend throughoutthe length of the tapered portion 82 and are arranged on opposite sidesof the portion 82 in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the head66.

A tubular valve 86 (Fig. 2) is slidingly disposed on the head 66 toalternately open and close the ports 76. The inner diameter of the valve86 is varied in accord ance with the outer diameter of the head 66 fromthe seat 74 upwardly, and the lower end 88 of the valve is shaped tomate with the seat 74 to provide a metal-tometal seal over the ports 76when the valve 86 is in its lower position, as shown. The upwardmovement of the valve 86 is limited by a suitable ring 90 secured at theupper end of the head 66. The ring 90 is spaced from the seat 74 such adistance that the valve 86'may be raised until the lower end 88 thereofis above the ports 76. It should also be observed that the outerdiameter of the valve 86 is substantially less than the inner diameterof the tubing 8, collar 10 and upper end portion 16 of the bushing 12,to provide free movement of the valve 86, as well as an annular chamber92 between the outer periphery of the valve and the inner periphery ofthe upper end of the bushing 12.

.r when l As shown in the lower portion of Fig. I, the pump rod 64extends into an elongated socket or chamber 94 of' a sinker bar 96. Thesocket 94 may be formed by boring into the lower end of the sinker bar96 and then closing oif the lower end of the bore by means of a tubularthreaded cap 98. The inner bore of the cap 98 is such to provide aloosesliding fit of the pump rod 64 therein. A head 100 isthreadedlyisecured on the upper end of the pump rod '64 within the'socket'94, and "the diameter of the head 100is"preferably'substantially less than the diameter of the socket 94 toprovide a loose fit of the head in the socket. Thus, the sinker bar '96may be moved vertically over thehead 100 until the head strikes either'end of the socket 94' to actuate the pump 24, as will be'morefullyflhereina fter set forth.

The upper end'of the sinker bar 96 is provided with a longitudinal bore102 'of a size to receive the lower end of the usual wire line 104. Thewire line 104 extends downwardly from the surface through the tubing 8and is connected to any suitable device (not shown)" at the I surface ofthe well which may be used to reciprocate the wire line. A plurality oftransverse bores 106 are provided through the upper end portion of thesinker bar 96 in intersecting relation with the vertical bore 102. Oneend of each transverse bore 106 is reduced in diameter and threaded toreceive a clamping screw 108 which is used to clamp the wire line 104 inthe sinker bar. As shown, the-vertically adjacent screws 108 arepreferably opposed to more eiiectively wedge the wire line 104 in thesinker bar. Also, suitable guide fingers 110 are secured to the upperend of the sinker bar 96 to slidingly engage the inner periphery of thetubing 8 and maintain the sinker bar 96 substantially, in the center ofthe tubing. Thus, the sinker bar 96 will be retained substantially inalignment with the working barrel 26 of the pump 24 to minimize bendingof the pump rod 64 during operation of the unit.

' Operation To install the pump unit 24, it is secured to the lower endof the wire line 104 in the manner shown in Figs. 1: and 2. The entireunit is then loweredthrough the well tubing'8 until the pump 24approaches the lower end of the tubing. It will be apparent that sincethe seating member 32. of the pump is smal-lerin diameter than the bore14 of the bushing 12, the seating member 32 and the working. barrel 26will be lowered freely through. the bushing 12 and the pump housing 16.Also, since-the outer diameter of the lower end of the seating member 32is less than the diameter of the upper end ofithe bore of the seatingnipple 18, the member 32 wilt be easily inserted in the nipple 18.Normally, the weight of the pump unit 24 will be sufficient to move thelower sealing ring 34 into a sealing positionin the bore 20 of theseating nipple 18 and the sealing ring 68 into the bore 14 of thebushing. 12'. It will also be observed that as the pump unit 24 islowered into the fluid standing in the tubing. 8 and housing 16, thelower standing valve 42 will beopened. and fluid will flow relativelyupward through the inlet 38, ports 30, chamber; 36, ports 28 and head 66into contact with the upper standing valve 86- The downward movement ofthe pump unit 24 will be sufli'cient to also openthe upper standingvalve 86 such that fluid will pass completely through the pump unit 24',including the upper ports 76.

In the event the pump unit 24isnot completely seated by its own weight,the wire line 104 is dropped a short distance until the upper end'of thesocket 94 of the sinker bar 96 contacts the upper end of thepump rodhead 100. The weight of the sinker ban96 will then. be imposed on. the.plunger 54- to lower the plunger into contact with the plug. 44'. Atthistime, the weight of the sinker willrbeimposed. on. the workingbarrel26 to cornplet'ely seat the scaling rings-34 and 68. Furthermore, ifnecessary, the sinker: bar 96' may: be raised: a short distance anddropped after the pump pl n er 54 is in contact with the plug 44-toenectively drive the pump unit 24 into the seated position shown in Fig.2. 1

When the pump unit 24 is fully seated in the nipple 18, the standingvalves 42 and 86 will close by the-force of gravity. The wire 1ine104 isthen reciprocated to operate the pump unit '24. During the initialupward movement of the wire line 104, the socket 94 will be moved overthe head and the um unit 24 will not be cperated-Howeve as soon asthelowerend of the .socket 94 contacts thehead 100, the pump lunger:54-wil1 bemoved in an u stroke. During this up stroke, fluid standingin the working barrel 26 above the plunger will be forced upwardlythrough the head 66 to increase the pressure on the lower end of theupper standing valve 86. it will also be apparent that the travelingvalve 60 will be retained in a seated position to close the bore 58 ofthe plunger 54 for the working stroke, as well as create a partialvacuum infthe lower portion of the chamber 50. When the pressure of thefluid in the head 66 is increased, the fluid pressure Will be exertedupwardly through the ports 76 and the slots 84 in the head 66 to act onthe inner surface of the valve 86 opposite the tapered portion 82 of thehead. This force will be 'sufiicient to raise the valve 86 on the head66 and open the ports 7 6; whereupon the fluid will be forced upwardlyin the tubing 8 toward the surface of the well. Simultaneously, theincreased pressure of the fluid in the upper portion of the workingbarrel 26 will be exerted through the ports 28 and downwardly throughthe chamber 36 and ports 30 to retain the lower standing valve 42 iii aclosed position over the inlet 38.

At the end of the up stroke, it will be a parent that the fluid in thetubing 8 will be at a higher level than the well fluid standing in thewell around the tubing 8. Therefore, when the wire line 104 is" moveddownwardly by the surface equipment, the pressure above" the upperstanding valve 86 will be greater than the pressure in the workingbarrel 26 and the head 66 to lower the standing valve 86 into its seatedposition as shown in Fig. 2. Although the downward movement of the upperstanding valve 86 is preferably fast, it is preferred that the speed ofthe final seating movement of the valve be reduced to minimize wear ofthe seat 74 \and mating portion 88 of the valve. It will be observedthat in the present structure, fluid will be present between thetaperedportion 82 of the head 66 and the correspondingly tapered portionof the valve 86. During the final closing movement of the valve, thisfluid is removed from between the valve and the tapered portion 82 onlythrough the slots '84. Thus, this fluid will actas a hydraulic shockabsorber 'to retard the downward movement of'the valve 86, yet

the slots 84 facilitate a complete removal of the fluid between thevalve and tapered portion 82 to facilitate a complete closing of thevalve. Upon closing of the upper standing valve '86, the fluid standingin the well provides a pressure differential across the lower standing'valve 42' to. again open the inlet 38.

During the main portion of the down stroke of the unit. 24, the plunger54 is moved by a combination of the weight of theplunger, the forceexerted by the well fluid standing in the well acting through the inlet38", ports 30, chamber 36 and ports 28, as well -asa= partial vacuumcreated in the chamber 50 below the plunger during the upstroke. Theseforceswill quickly lower the plunger 54 into proximity with the plug 44and retain the pump redhead 100 in contact with the lower end of thesocket 94. However, when the plunger 54 contacts fluid in the lowerportion of'the' chamber 50 which leaked around the cups 56 during thetip-stroke, the speed of movement of the plunger is substantiallyretarded. If given sufl'ici'ent time, the plunger 54'- wo'uld, ineffect, settlethroughthis fluid: standing above the plug 54 and thisfluid would be moved upwardly through the bore 58 in the 'plungertoraisethe traveling"val ve-60 However,- if when the .plunger 54 contactsfluid standing above the plug 44 the plunger is moved downwardly only byits own weight, at a normal operating speed of the pump, the plunger 54would be moved on another up stroke before the down stroke were actuallycompleted.

In the present structure, when the plunger 54 contacts fluid standing inthe working barrel above the plug 44, the sinker bar 96 moves downwardlyrelative to the pump rod 64 until the upper end of the socket 94contacts the pump rod head 100. When this occurs the weight of thesinker bar 96 is imposed on the plunger 54 to greatly acceleratemovement of the plunger through the fluid in the lower portion of theworking barrel chamber 50 and greatly increases the speed of thecomplete down stroke. Therefore, the speed of operation of the pumpingunit is increased. It may also be noted that not only will the cups 56of the plunger 54 inherently provide some leakage of fluid to the lowerend of the chamber 50 during the up stroke, but such leakage isintentionally obtained to facilitate the down stroke of the plunger 54.If the cups 56 fit too tightly in the working barrel 26, the down strokeof the plunger 54 will be unduly retarded, and the speed of operation ofthe pump materially decreased.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that not only is the wire line104 retained under tension during the up stroke, but also during themajor portion of the down stroke. Thus, fatigue of the wire line 104will be reduced to a minimum. It may also be noted that the normalmovement of the wire line 104 is greater than the normal stroke of thepump unit 24 by a distance equal to the length of the socket 94 in orderthat the sinker bar 96 may be used to force the plunger 54 through thefinal portion of the down stroke. When it is desired to remove the pumpunit 24, the wire line 104 is simply pulled upwardly. When the upper end72 of the plunger guide structure 61 contacts the lower end 70 of thehead 66, the entire pump unit 24 will be unseated from the seatingnipple 18 and bushing 12 and the entire unit is removed from the wellthrough the tubing 8.

As it is well known in the art, most well fluids contain an appreciableamount of said which normally interferes with the operation andexcessively wears out the pump, particularly the upper standing valve ofthe pump. In the present invention, sand settling out of well fluidabove the pumping unit 24 will fall down past the valve 86 into theannular space 92 between the outer periphery of the valve and the head66 and the inner periphery of the bushing 12 onto the sealing ring 68and will have a minimum effect on the operation of the valve 86. Thecontour of the vah'e 86 enhances the downward movement of sandcontacting the valve, whereby the sand will have a minimum tendency toaccumulate on any Working surface of the valve. It may also be notedthat any sand settling from well fluid standing in the chamber 36between the working barrel 26 and pump housing 16 will tend to settleinto the lower end of the chamber 36, and not on the lower standingvalve 42 or its seat 40. In the event sand accumulates either in thechamber 92 or the chamber 36 to such an extent as to interfere withoperation of the pump, it is simply necessary to raise the pump 24 aslight distance above the seating nipple 18, whereby fluid will drainfrom the tubing 8 through the bushing 12 and the seating nipple to washaway the accumulated sand.

In excessively sandy wells, I prefer to maintain a small quantity ofmercury 112 on the pump plunger 54 as illustrated in Fig. 4. The mercury112, being substantially heavier than sand, will catch and trap any sandattempting to settle in the working barrel 26 before the sand contactsthe cups 56, thereby minimizing wear of the cups. It is recognized thatthe mercury 112 will tend to leak downwardly around the cups 56in thesame manner as oil. Such leakage does take place, but the mercuryleaking by the plunger 54 is forced upwardly through the bore 58 of theplunger in the same manner as the well fluid in the lower end of thechamber 50 at-the end of the down stroke as previously described. Whenusing mercury 112, the stroke of the plunger 54 is slightly shortened inorder that the mercury will not be raised to a level corresponding withthe ports 28 in the upper end of the working barrel at the end of the upstroke. If this were to occur, the mercury would, of course, pour .outthrough the ports 28 into the lower end of the annular chamber 36. Also,I provide a spacer pipe or tube 114 on the upper end 72 of the plungerguide structure 61. The spacer 114 is of a size to contact the lower end70 of the head 66 during removal of the pump unit 24 to prevent theplunger 54 being raised to such an extent that the mercury would spillthrough the ports 28. Durinvention may be easily modified to increasethe capacity of the pump by using a plurality of pump plungers andincreasing the length of the unit as shown in the pump assemblygenerally indicated at 115 in Figs. 5 and 6. The pump housing 16 isincreased in length and provided with the usual bushing 12 at its upperend and seating nipple 18 at its lower end. The working barrel 116 ismodified by being longer than the previously described working barrel 26and having a threaded plug 118 interposed in the central portion of theworking barrel as illustrated in the lower portion of Fig. 5. The plug118 divides the working barrel 116 into an upper pumping chamber 120 andlower pumping chamber 122. Also, transverse ports 124 are provided inthe upper end portion of the working barrel, ports 126 are provided inthe lower portion of the working barrel, and an additional set oftransverse ports 127 are provided in an intermediate portion of theworking barrel immediately below the center plug 118. The upper end ofthe working barrel 116 is secured to a head 66 of the type previouslydescribed, and the lower end of the working barrel is secured toaseating member 32 of the type previously described. The standing valves42 and 86 are provided in the seating member 32 and on the head 66 inthe same manner as previously described. Finally, a plug member 44 ofthe type previously described is provided in the lower portion of theworking barrel 116 immediately above the lower ports 126 and lowerstanding valve 42.

The lower pumping chamber 122 of the modified pump structure 115contains a pump plunger 54 constructed in the same manner as previouslydescribed to provide a pumping action in the lower portion of theworking barrel. The upper end of the pump plunger 54 is connected to apump rod 128 which extends upwardly through a complementary bore in thecenter plug 118 into connection with an upper pump plunger 134)slidingly disposed in the upper pumping chamber 120. A suitable seal 132is provided in the center plug 118 around the pump rod 128 to preventany substantial leakage of well fluids between the pumping chambers 121and 122 through the plug 118. The upper pump plunger 13% is tubular inform and provided with a pair of upwardly facing cups 134 to force fluidupwardly in the chamber 120 on upward movement of the plunger 130. Sincethe lower end of the pump plunger must be threaded to receive the upperend of the pump rod 128, a plurality of biased ports 136 extend throughthe lower portion of the plunger into communication with the centralbore 138 of the plunger and provide communication through the plunger. Asuitable traveling valve 140 is provided in the upper portion of theplunger 130 to alternately open and close the upperend of the bore 138,and the traveling valve 140 is retained in the proper position by aguide structure .142 in the .same manner as previously described inconnection with the pump plunger 54. 1 An internally threaded membergore gal 144 is secured on the upper end of the .guide structure .142 toreceive the lower end of the usual pump rod 64.

The, rod 64 extends upwardly through the head 66 into connection with asinker bar 96 and a wire line in the .same manner as shown in Fig. 1;.

In operation of the pumping unit 115, the upper pump I .pump. chamber122 outwardly. through the middle ports a 127 into the annular space.146 between the pump housing 16 andworking barre1..116. .This fluid thenflows upwardly through the .annulus 1-46 and into the upper pump chamber120 through the upper ports 12'4 to. .join

with the fluid being pumpedbyrtheupper pump plunger 130. Alsosimultaneously, the pressure of thefluid being pumped from. the lowerpumping chamber. 122 is exerted downwardly through fluid stand-ing inthe annulus. 146 and in through .the lower ports 126 to hold the lowerstanding valve 42. on its respective seat The traveling valve 140 of theupper pump plunger'130 and the traveling valve 60 of the lower pumpplunger 54 will both be closed to provide a partial vacuum in the lowerportions of both pumping chambers 120 and 122.

On the down stroke, each of the pump plungers 130 and 54 will beinitially moved downwardly by the suction created in the lower portionofthe respective pumping chamber and the weight of the pump plungerassembly, in combination with the hydrostatic pressure of well fluidstanding in the well being exerted through the fluid inlet 38 upwardlythrough the ports 126 and annulus 146 and then downwardly through bothsets of ports 127 and 124. When either pump plunger contacts fluid inthe lower portion of its respective pumping chamber, the sinker bar 96is lowered over the pump rod head 100 in the same manner as previouslydescribed to force the plungers on down to the lower ends of theirrespective pumping chambers. As the upper pump plunger 130 is forceddownwardly through fluid standing in the lower end of the upper pumpingchamber 120, the traveling valve 140 will open to allow the trappedfluid to flow upwardly through the ports 136 and the bore-138 into theupper portion of. the pumping chamber 120 above the plunger. The lowerplunger operates in the same manner as previously described.Simultaneously, well fluid flows into the pumping unit through the inlet38 and the ports 126 into the annulus 146, and then into each of thepumping chambers above the respective pump plunger to fill the pumpingchambers with a new supply of well fluid.

In analyzing the modified pump structure 115, it will be observed thatthe working barrel of the pump may be extended as desired and any numberof pump plungers may be used while using only one lower standing valveand one upper standing valve. It is simply necessary that the uppermostports 124 in the working barrel 116 -be made of suflicient size toaccommodate the fluid being pumped by the pump plungers in the lowerpumping chambers. When comparing the structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6with the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be observed that withthe same diameter of working barrel and the same stroke length, thecapacity of the pump unit shown in Figs. 5 and 6 will be twice thecapacity of the pump unit shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Regardless of itslength, a pump constructed in accordance with the present invention maybe inserted in a well Changes-may tubing or casing removed therefrom inthe ame manner as previously" described inconnection with Figs. 1 and 2.i a

From theforegoing it. will be apparent that the present inventionprovidesa novel wire line type pump which will not be. easily fouled bypumping sandy well fluid. The upperstandin'g valve has no contacteitherwith the pump rod or the welltubing, whereby the 'valve will be.retained in the desired position to evenly engage its re- .spectiveseat when the pump is making a down stroke.

Furthermore, the upper standing valve will not be easily renderedinoperative 'by sand'settling out of well fluid Lst'anding-in .the'tubing or casing above the pump. The pump may be easily inserted andwithdrawn from the well and, finally, the pump is simple in constructionand may be 'easilymanufactured.

be madein the combination and arrangement ofparts asheretofore set forthin the specification and shown in .the drawing, it being understood thatchanges may be made. in the precise embodiments shown withoutdeparting-from the spirit and scope of the in- .vtzntion as defined inthe following claims.

I el-aimr 3 1. .A're'cipro'cating wire line operated pump assembly foruse in a'well tubing. or the. like,comprising a working barrel having anouter diameter less than the inner diameter. of the tubing for insertionof the working barrel in the tubingand having transverse ports in theupper and :lower end portions thereof, means for sealing the workingbarrel in the tubing above the upper ports and below the lower ports, awell fluid inlet in the lower end of the working barrel, a standingvalve in therlower portion of the working barrel for opening and closingsaid inlet, a plug sealed in the lower portion of the working barrelabove the lower ports and the standing valve, a tubular plungerslidingly disposed in the working barrel above said plug, a travelingvalve in said plunger, a pump rod extending upwardly from said plungerthrough the upper end of the working barrel for connection with the wireline and reciprocation of the plunger, an elongated tubular head rigidlysecured on the upper end of the working barrel and having its side wallsextending vertically upward from the working barrel, the upper endportion of said head being reduced in diameter to'form a guide andslidingly receive the pump rod, said head having transverse portsthrough the vertical side walls thereof between the reduced end portionand the point of connection of the head to the working barrel, anupwardly facing annular seat formed in the outer periphery of the headbelow said ports, and a tubular valve slidingly disposed on the headhaving its inner diameter shaped to conform with the outer diameter ofsaid head above said seat and having a seating area on its lower end formating with the seat on the head, whereby said tubular valve isreciprocatedby fluid pressure upon reciprocation of said plunger andalternately opens and closes the ports in the head.

2. A pump as defined in claim 1 characterized further in that said headis swedged inwardly toward its upper reduced diameter end portion toform an upwardly and inwardly tapered outer periphery above the portsthrough the head, said tapered outer periphery having slots thereinextending upwardly from the upper ends of the ports through the headproviding fluid pressure communication from fluid in the head to thecorrespondingly tapered portion of the tubular valve, a stop on theupper end of the head limiting the upward movement of the tubular valve,and the outer periphery of the tubular valve being less than the innerdiameter of the tubing, whereby the tubular valve has contact only withthe head.

3. A pump as defined in claim 1 characterized further in that said headhas an inner diameter less than the working barrel to provide adownwardly facing shoulder in the working barrel at the lower end of thehead, a supply of mercury on said plunger, and a spacer tube on theupper end of said plunger of a size to contact said downwardly facingshoulder and stop the upward movement of said plunger before saidmercury reaches the level of the upper ports in the working barrel.

4. A reciprocating wire line operated pump assembly for use in a welltubing or the like, comprising a downwardly and inwardly tapered seatingnipple secured in the tubing, a bushing secured in the tubing above theseating nipple and having an inner diameter greatert-han the innerdiameter of the nipple, a working barrel having an outer diameter lessthan the inner diameter of the tubing and the bushing and havingtransverse ports in the upper and lower end portions thereof, a tubularseat on the lower end of the working barrel of a size of engage theseating nipple and having its outer periphery tapered in conformity withthe inner periphery of the nipple, an O-ring in said seat for engagingsaid nipple and providing a seal of the seat in the nipple, a plugsealed in the lower portion of the working barrel above the lower ports,a standing valve in the working barrel between the plug and said seat, atubular head on the upper end of the working barrel having portions ofits side walls extending vertically and having ports through thevertical side walls for the passage of well fluid-s, an O-ring in theouter periphery of said head below said ports for engaging said bushing,a tubular plunger in the working barrel, a traveling valve in saidplunger, a pump rod extending upwardly from said plunger through acomplementary bore in said head, a sinker bar connected 'to the upperend of the pump rod and the lower end of 12 the wire line, a seaton saidhead below the ports through the head, and a tubular valve slidinglydisposed on said head for. engagingthe last-mentioned seat andalternately opening and closing the ports through the head duringreciprocation of the plunger by the wire line.

5. A pump as defined in claim 4 characterized further in that saidsinker bar is rigidly secured to the lower end of the wire line and hasan elongated socket in the lower portion thereof of a diameter largerthan the diameter of the pump rod, said sinker bar also having a bore inthe lower end thereof slidingly receiving the upper end portion of thepump rod, and a head rigidly secured on the upper end of the pump rodwithin said socket, said head being of a size to slide in said socket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

